Grimsby Town

Grimsby Town FC is a professional football club that was formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham FC. The club was formed at a meeting in the Wellington Arms where several players from Worsley Cricket Club attended, looking for a winter activity, initially playing at Clee Park.

‘The Mariners’ moved to Lovett Street for the 1879-80 season before returning to Clee Park, where they played before moving to Abbey Park in 1889 as founder members of the Football Alliance. Town became founder members of Division Two of the Football League in 1892.

 The club moved to the Cleethorpes location of Blundell Park in 1899, prior to being crowned division Two champions at their new ground in 1900-01 before being relegated from Division One in 1902-03. Worse was to come in 1909-10 when Grimsby failed in their bid to be re-elected.

Back in non-league, Town won the Midland League title in 1910-11, wearing black and white stripes for the first time, to regain their status the Football League. The team was demoted to the new Third Division South for the 1920-21 campaign, before being transferred to the North section a season later.

Wilf Gillow was appointed as manager in 1924, leading the Mariners to the Division Three North title in 1925-26. For many years, Town and neighbours Hull City were the only clubs to have special dispensation to play home matches on Christmas Day owing to the demands of the fishing trade.

The Mariners greatest period began in 1928-29 as the team finished runners-up in Division Two to climb to the top level of English football. The side slipped back down a level in 1931-32 as Frank Womack took over as manager.

He led Town to the Division Two title in 1934-35 before the team reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 1935-36 where they lost 1-0 to Arsenal at Leeds Road. Grimsby reached the semi-finals again in 1938-39, under manager Charlie Spencer, losing 5-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford.

After the second World War, Town were relegated in 1947-48 to Division Two and then down to Division Three North in 1950-51, prior to Bill Shankly being appointed as manager and taking his side to a runners-up place in 1951-52 before his departure in 1954.

Allenby Chilton was at the helm as Grimsby won the Division Three North title in 1955-56 before his spell ended as the team was relegated in 1958-59. Tim Ward took on the position of manager from 1960 for a two year tenure.

Tom Johnston was the latest incumbent of the manager’s position as Town went back down to Division Three in 1963-64 to be replaced by Jimmy McGuigan at a time goalkeeper Harry Wainman began a fourteen year career between the posts. The Scotsman was replaced by Don McEvoy for the 1967-68 as Grimsby dropped down to Division Four.

In 1968-69 under the tutelage of Bill Harvey, Town finished in the bottom four and had to apply for re-election as a crowd of just 1,833 was registered for the home game with Brentford. Bobby Kennedy took charge of the team from 1969 and 1971.

Lawrie McMenemy was appointed. It was an inspired decision as he transformed the club as a crowd of 22,489 celebrated promotion as Division Four champions in 1971-72. His talents were soon noticed as he departed for Southampton to be replaced by Ron Ashman and then Tommy Casey prior to the arrival of John Newman.

The Mariners were relegated back to the bottom tier in 1976-77 before going back up as Division Four runners-up in 1978-79 under latest manager, George Kerr. The 1979-80 season saw Town win another promotion as Division Three champions.

Former player Dave Booth oversaw a fine side from 1982 which included the likes of Nigel Batch, Joe Waters, Kevin Drinkell, Bobby Cumming, Tony Ford and Mike Brolly. Town finished fifth in the Division Two season of 1983-84 before Booth was replaced by Mick Lyons a year later.

Town were relegated in 1986-87 with Bobby Roberts coming in as team boss but only lasting the 1987-88 campaign as Grimsby went down to Division Four with Alan Buckley being appointed as manager to try and stem the tide on the pitch, while the club was in danger of going out of business in financial trouble.

Keith Alexander starred as the Mariners were promoted in 1989-90 as divisional runners-up, with the run continuing with promotion to the second tier in 1990-91 with Garry Birtles and John McDermott starring while Tony Rees put away the goals.

The period would see Grimsby reach the fifth round of the FA Cup on a couple of occasions, in 1988-89 and 1992-93 with Paul Futcher playing a vital role organising the defence before Brian Laws took over as player-manager in 1994. He led the side to another Cup fifth round appearance in 1995-96.

Buckley returned in 1997, leading the team to a first Wembley appearance in the 1997-98 season in the Football League Trophy which ended in a 2-1 win against AFC Bournemouth. Town made a return for the Play Off final after disposing of Fulham before defeating Northampton Town 1-0 through a Kevin Donovan goal.

Lennie Lawrence was named as manager for the 2000-01 season before being replaced by Paul Groves as player-manager. The 2002-03 season ended in relegation to the third tier Division Two.

The club were hamstrung with debts partly due to the ITV digital collapse, whose coverage of games was supposed to secure all clubs’ futures and partly through poor management. Groves was sacked to be replaced by Nicky Law towards the end of the 2003-04 which ended in a further demotion to the retitled League Two.

Russell Slade as appointed from Scarborough as manager, taking Town to the play-offs in 2005-06, defeating Lincoln City before losing 1-0 to Cheltenham Town at the Millennium Stadium. Slade was replaced by Graham Rodger before Buckley arrived for a third spell in charge.

In 2007-08 Town reached Wembley where they lost 2-0 to Milton Keynes Dons in the final of the Football League Trophy. Highly regarded young manager Mike Newell came and went before former fans favourite on the pitch, Neil Woods took over as manager in November 2009.

He could not turn around fortunes as the club eventually finished second bottom and relegation to non-league football. After an unsuccessful first half to the Conference season, Woods was relieved of his duties to be replaced by Boston United joint managers Rob Scott and Paul Hurst.

The duo took time to rebuild the squad. Loan signings Ross Hannah and Scott Neilson gave new life to the side as Town reached the FA Trophy Final at Wembley in 2012-13, where they were defeated by Wrexham on penalties after Andy Cook had scored in the 1-1 draw.

Grimsby went on to reach the play-offs, where Newport County ended any dreams of a return to the Football League in the semi-finals. Joint Manager Scott was suspended for misconduct, with Hurst taking control of the team captained by Craig Disley.

The 2013-14 season saw a fourth place finish; before Gateshead defeated Town in the semi-finals of the play-offs. The 2014-15 season would see the Mariners go one step further as Eastleigh were seen off in the semi-finals before Bristol Rovers won the Wembley final on penalties after a 1-1 draw as Lenell John-Lewis scored.

In 2015-16 Grimsby finally secured promotion back to League Two; after again appearing in the play-offs. Having beaten Braintree Town, Forest Green Rovers were defeated 3-1 at Wembley as Omar Bogle weighed in with a brace and Pádraig Amond netting the other goal.

Town also reached the final of the FA Trophy the following weekend but were defeated 1-0 by FC Halifax Town at Wembley. Hurst went about changing the squad for League football before being lured away to take the manager’s job at Shrewsbury Town in October 2016.

Marcus Bignot arrived from Solihull Moors as his replacement, but he only lasted until the following April after a spell of inconsistent results. Russell Slade came in as the new team boss for a second spell at the helm. He was replaced by Michael Jolley for the 2018-19 campaign before Ian Holloway arrived in December 2019.

The new manager also invested in shares in the club as results initially improved and then dipped, leading to the re-appointment of Hurst in December 2020 as Town battled desperately against relegation before finishing bottom of the table to return to the National League.

The Mariners reached the playoffs in 2021-22 where they went about things the long way, defeating Notts County and Wrexham away before defeating Solihull Moors at the London Stadium 2-1 after extra time to return to the EFL. John McAtee and Jordan Maguire-Drew scored the goals on the big day.

Grimsby consolidated in midtable in 2022-23, before David Artell replaced Hurst in November 2023 as a poor season was played out.

Grimsby Town FC will be playing in the EFL League Two in the 2024-25 season.

My visits
 
Grimsby Town 0 Leeds United 2 (Saturday 8^th September 1984) Division Two (att: 13,290)

I attended this game on the Scarborough branch of the Leeds United Supporters Club who met every week at the Liberal Club. I was good mates with many of the lads and there was a coach running with seats on the bus and at the ground available.

We got into the ground fairly early after parking on Harrington Street with just a railway and the bank of the Humber dividing us from the water. Our seats were for the Osmond Stand to the south of the ground. We entered by going through the same turnstiles as for terracing and then showing a steward out tickets.

The away end was already packed as these were the days where you were marched straight into grounds. There was no chance of getting a beer anywhere. The Osmond Stand had seats at the back with terracing at the front. On our left an open corner terrace led round to the Findus Stand which was a large new construction. 

It had an elevated seating deck above corporate boxes and a terraced paddock. More open standing led round to the Pontoon Stand. This also had a few seats at the rear of a covered terrace. The north east corner was also open standing before it gave way to the old Main Stand which was all seated with the roof continuing and joining up with our end. It was a compact old ground.

The Leeds fans made a racket as the teams warmed up and at one point it looked like they were going to pull the high fences down at the front before the police and their dogs tried to restore order. I was delighted we had seats in relative calm. I went downstairs at half time for a cold drink and it was absolute chaos.

Leeds were awarded a penalty midway through the second half after keeper Nigel Batch had brought down Andy Watson. Peter Lorimer stepped up and saw his spot kick saved. The game looked like ending scoreless until in a frantic last few minutes 

United took the spoils when George McCluskey scored with five minutes remaining. Lorimer added the second in the final minute with a thunderbolt that went in off the underside of the bar.

Grimsby Town 0 Hull City 1 (Tuesday 1st April 1986) Division Two (att: 9,121)

City’s promotion campaign was more or less over but there was still a big away following for the short journey over the Humber Bridge. As was the norm I travelled on the supporters’ bus which began at Scarborough and picked up at Filey and Bridlington with some top people. Andy Flounders scored the goal to make it a happy evening.

My abiding memory was of just how many fans had no way of getting home having come by train and were now stuck. The police were not particularly sympathetic.

Grimsby Town 2 Hull City 2 (Tuesday 5th May 1987) Division Two (att: 6,757)

Again I travelled down by coach with all the others. This was a changing time for me as I had got myself a casual position as a postman which I was due to start a couple of days later, so I was already in a good mood.

To make things even better City had put together a great late run to save them from relegation. However, it was not the same for the Mariners. Only two teams were to be relegated because of league restructuring and they desperately needed a win to save themselves. We arrived to find ourselves in the Pontoon Stand which was totally for the use of away fans.

We made a lot of noise and had a good view. Grimsby scraped a draw from the game after City controlled it. This led to non stop singing from the away end of “You’re going down with the Brighton”. Andy Saville got both Tigers goals with Ian Walsh and Phil Turner netting for the hosts.

The locals were not happy to say the least. It was very fiery outside though the police had the ends of the roads blocked off to segregate fans. There was mass disrupt and vandalism in Grimsby after the game caused by disgruntled Town fans.

Grimsby Town 2 Scarborough 1 (Saturday 3^rd December 1988) Division Four (att: 3,887)

Grimsby had suffered successive relegations but were improving under Alan Buckley. We travelled in the min bus with our usual mob from the Post Office and Gas Club. After a very nice lunch time in the Coach & Horses at Barton on Humber we went to battle with the elements. It was very cold.

We entered through the same gates as I had previously for the Pontoon End and reassured myself that we’d soon get warm behind the goal. This wasn’t possible as the club had segregated the area meaning the away section had about ten yards roof in the way of protection. Instead we had the open terracing around to the Main Stand. Anyone brave enough to squeeze in next to the home fans were greeted with missiles of coins.

Boro were a decent team but were outmuscled by a good home side. Keith Alexander stood out up front for them, opening the scoring. Despite Gary Brook drawing Boro level, Town went on to take the honours with a John McDermott goal.

There were some sporadic scuffles between the opposing sets of fans outside as we walked back to our transport. Fortunately we were soon on our way and in the warm sanctuary of our favourite pub in Barton again.

Grimsby Town 3 Scarborough 0 (Tuesday 20th March 1990) Division Four (att: 7,690)

This was quite a monumental trip for us regarding Boro min buses to away games. We struggled to fill our bus with our usual gang as the novelty of the Football League was wearing off for some, and Boro’s form wasn’t helping. This was also the case with the lads on another bus who were generally looked at as being pretty much hard core. Several of them travelled with us and we’ve all been good mates ever since.

We had a couple of pints at our usual bolt hole on the way before seeing Boro been taken apart as Town marched towards promotion. We had signed a big eared forward from Grimsby the previous year called Steve Saunders. He was not very good.

The Mariners were far too strong going in at half time with a 3-0 win as Tony Rees scored twice, capitalising on defensive errors from Adie Meyer and Steve Richards. Mark Lever added the other goal.

One of my bus mates, Shaun Mollon, broke his own record for hot dog eating before half time and we had a few beers in Beverley on the way home. It’s a good job the company was top class, as the football certainly wasn’t.

Friday 9th July 2010

I was in Grimsby staying overnight so I could take in a couple of pre season friendlies as well as calling in on some grounds. I had been to the new Grimsby Community Stadium, home of Grimsby Borough on a glorious afternoon.

I decided to walk to Blundell Park from my digs in Grimsby town centre and then go on to catch the train from Cleethorpes to Scunthorpe so I could get a bus connection for the game between Brigg Town and Grimsby Town. This was soon to prove very tight to my schedule.I guess eating fish and chips as I walked wasn't the brightest idea, but at £2.20 for take away I couldn't resist. I carried on through the maze of terraced houses that formerly provided homes for the thousands of dock workers.

Eventually on Grimsby Road I saw the floodlights and the Blundell Park Hotel opposite the Imperial Hotel, which have both quenched the thirst of thousands of fans on a match day over the years. 

I walked behind the huge Findus Stand and saw a gate was ajar.I went inside and saw a groundsman at work at the side of the pitch. I went across and asked permission to take some pictures and we got chatting. He was very amiable and told me how popular the ex Scarborough and Mariners manager Russell Slade had been during his time there.

The ground was now all seated, but the corner open terraces had gone to be replaced with flat concrete. The club had paid the penalty for playing high up in the League and lost parts of their ground as a consequence. The rest of the ground also showed signs of aging, in particular the old Main Stand.

On a tip from the groundsman I walked behind the ground and over a footbridge across the railway and then along the promenade to Cleethorpes station. I'd asked if I'd do it in ten minutes and he seemed confident. They must make them fit in Grimsby, as I caught the train by the skin of my teeth through a mixture of fast walking and jogging. I was ready for a pint.....